Commitments

Bring Ceremony to Your Life

A Commitment Ceremony is a loving public commitment whereby couples proclaim their intention to live together in a united partnership.

This is not a legally binding ceremony.

The Ceremony Structure

Processional

The Giving Away

Welcome

Affirmation by guests

Introduction; a brief story about the couple’s shared history and about their commitment to each other

Reading /Ritual

Vows; a selection of either custom written or poetic vows

Ring/Gift Ceremony; some form of ceremonial symbolic exchange depending on race or religion

Reading /Ritual Blessing

Conclusion

The Declaration; Mary announces the couple

My Fee

My fee for this style of ceremony which includes the same service as a wedding ceremony is $500

Opening Address Samples

INTRODUCTIONS

No.1 Today, on this glorious occasion you are fortunate to have around you your parents, relatives and friends, who rejoice with you in this celebration of your commitment to each other. Through the example of your parents in a loving and understanding home, and the influence of your friends in your lives, you have become prepared for the type of commitment you will be making to each other. By maintaining a solid foundation of friendship, which by its very nature is the most perfect love, you will be better able to work together as a unite team. Your striving to become one will be enhanced by your success at remaining individuals, for only in that way can you complement each other and grow towards your mutual goals.

No.2On behalf of ________ and ________ and their families, I welcome you all to witness their commitment , and to share their happiness on this day. To quote George Sand ‘There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved’. This public commitment is the ultimate expression of love; it reduces our selfishness, deepens our personalities, and makes life far more meaningful.

So today, ________ and ________, as you make known your love for each other, all of us wish for you a love that makes both of you better people, that continues to give you joy and zest for living, that provides you with the energy to face the responsibilities of life.

No.3 We have come here today to witness the public commitment of ________ and ________. They have come gladly to this moment. They have already shared much of their lives together, and know that they are a great partnership. But it has not been enough.

Today they choose to make a deeper commitment to each other. It is their way of telling each other that their experience together has been so good, that they want it to continue for the rest of their lives. They have loved each other before this ceremony. They believe they will love each other more because of it.

No.4 ________ and ________ have grown in their love for each other over the past _____ years. And their lives are better each day for having each other in it. For ________ and ________ this commitment to each other means being in love with the true essence of the other – an old fashioned appreciation of what it means to care, a cup of tea, a meal on the table, a creative home, a commitment to compassion, a sense of humour, always time for each other. We stand with them today as they publicly honour their precious love, which will serve as a solid foundation for the years ahead.

No.5There is no greater gift than the love that makes two people one. And there is no greater indication of that love than the public commitment, which unites two people.

This commitment is a loving union, where ________ and ________intend to grow together, with their differences, learning to be tolerant of those differences, sharing dreams, sharing the good times and the bad times, listening to one another, talking to one another. ________ and ________decision to publicly exchange vows today confirms their commitment to a marriage that has already taken place in their hearts and in their minds (and in______).

No.6 _______and _______ have chosen this beautiful place, _______ and all of us to be here to support, share in, and celebrate the love they have for each other. Today you will witness their pledges to each other. Their choice is responsible, free, independent and happy.

I encourage you all to uplift your hearts to embrace ________ and ________ with your blessings as you witness something sacred and precious.

No.7 Helen Keller once said ‘the best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched… but are felt in the heart.’

Good afternoon and welcome to the ceremony that celebrates ____and _____’s relationship.

We gather here today to celebrate their union and to honour their commitment: not just at gazing at one another, but looking outward, together, in the same direction.

Today ___and ____ proclaim their love to the world and we rejoice with them.

In a relationship we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as a most precious gift.

But even as that gift is shared by two people in love, it also touches the friends and family members who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship.

All of you are ___and ____’s community, and each of you has played some part in bringing them together at this moment. This is why gathering as a community is such an important part of this blessing ceremony.